"Whatever you do, think about what you really value. If you're an entrepreneur, the time you spend thinking about your values will help you build a better company. If you're going to work for someone else, the time you spend understanding your values will help you find the right kind of company or institution to work for, and when you find it, to do a better job." by Tim O'Reilly
http://matr.net/articl ... .html

Entrepreneurship and Energy - Montana is enjoying a wealth of talent and expertise that wants to contribute to the success of the state ---- City Club Missoula Hosts the Warren Miller Freedom Foundation - "Young Entrepreneurs of the World Unite"
http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html --- Governor Schweitzer and Montana Ambassadors bringing T. Boone Pickens to Montana
http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html (This event is open to the public so make your reservations today) ---- 2009 Montana Ambassadors Annual Conference, 2/26-27, Helena http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html --- Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer: Energy efficiency projects should top economic-stimulus list http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html

New: Visit the Modwest Feedback CommunityI'm writing to invite you to join me, Marianne, inside a new We created this unique discussion area especially for Modwest customers to help give you a voice and shape our services around you.

How Montana Stacks Up Among States for Friendliness to EntrepreneursMontana ranks 33rd in terms of entrepreneurship viability, which means one-third of the states in the nation are more welcoming to small business survivability than is Montana – that at least is the conclusion of the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council’s (SBEC) Small Business Survival Index for 2008.

Bresnan's Billings, Montana operations growng"When I got here in the fall of 2005, we had about 260 people in Billings," said Sean O'Donnell, regional vice president for Bresnan. "Since then we've added pretty close to 200 people, and we've absolutely outgrown our facility."

Gallatin County rural growth plan subject of debateGallatin County planners are sifting through a stack of proposed regulations that could, pending the Gallatin County Commission’s approval, limit development in the county’s rural unzoned areas to one home per 160 acres.

Register Now for Shape Up MontanaShape Up Montana is a fun, interactive three-month team competition from February 1 - May 1 that encourages Montanans to develop healthy physical activity and eating habits.

What's Your Company Worth? Ask an algorithm. - YouNoodleYouNoodle's promise is both tantalizing and a little crazy: The company claims it can quantify the traits that make for a successful entrepreneur -- such as education, work habits, and experience -- to predict how much that person's company will be worth three years from its founding.

Work on Stuff that Matters: First PrinciplesWhatever you do, think about what you really value. If you're an entrepreneur, the time you spend thinking about your values will help you build a better company. If you're going to work for someone else, the time you spend understanding your values will help you find the right kind of company or institution to work for, and when you find it, to do a better job.

Dream TeamsFrom a songwriting duo to engineers who spawn doe-eyed robots, meet four pairs who define—and defy—the terms of a creative partnership.

Stanford launches $100 million initiative to tackle energy issues"Universities such as Stanford need to focus their full talent on the greatest challenges facing the world today," Hennessy said. "Energy is certainly one of those issues, posing a threat to our economy, to national security and, through the use of fossil fuels, to our environment. Addressing the challenge of energy will require research on a wide range of issues, from energy efficiency to development and deployment of renewable sources, to reducing the effect of fossil fuels."

States push to collect taxes on Internet salesWith the recession pummeling states' budgets, their governments increasingly want to fill the gaps by collecting taxes on Internet sales, which are growing even as the economy shudders.

Idaho Gov. Otter targets public ed to help cut budgetThough he used some $60 million from an education reserve fund to shield education from budget holdbacks during the current year, Otter told teachers he now expects them to accept less during contract talks slated for upcoming months.

Oregon Business

SolarWorld: Germany's fastest-growing company opens plant in OregonSolarWorld employs more than 2,200 worldwide, including about 400 at its $440 million Hillsboro factory, which opened in October to produce solar crystals, wafers and cells. The plant, billed as the largest solar factory in the Americas, is capable of producing enough material each year to generate 100 megawatts of electricity.

Oregon Economic Development

Oregon Legislature's session opens with a call for tax increasesKulongoski, who is seeking $2 billion in higher fees and taxes, listed his recession-year priorities: Provide all children with health insurance, create a skilled work force, put Oregon on the cutting edge of renewable energy technology and rebuild the state's transportation system.